Friday, May 25, 2018

Today we continue of the top of the grassy hill to the memorial square. Designed to be covered, but open on both sides. The stunning memorial consists of "over 800 cortex steel monuments, one for each county in the US where a racial terror lynching took place. The names of the known victims are engraved on the columns." As one enters, the monuments are placed at eye level. As you proceed to the corner and turn, the flooring slopes downward giving the illusion that the monuments are rising. At the bottom, the monuments are directly overhead.

At the bottom, the outside wall features water pouring over with this beautiful inscription dedicated to all of the victims who remain unidentified.

" Thousands of African Americans are unknown victims of racial terror lynchings whose deaths cannot be documented. Many whose names will never be known. They are all honored here."

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

I recently toured the newly opened National Peace and Justice Memorial ( informally known as the Lynching Memorial) in Montgomery AL. "This is the nation's first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence."

The memorial is a powerful reminder of our nation's history and extremely emotional experience. As I reviewed my hundreds of images last night, I realized that picking and choosing photos to post here and on social media would not convey the feeling of the memorial and do it justice. For the coming week, I will post collections of photographs in order to give my readers a stronger sense of actually being in that space.

As one enters the park, the concrete figures by artist Kwome Akoto-Bamfo, depicting the journey of slavery is absolutely heart wrenching.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Tonight I attended a swell event. The Harvard Club of Birmingham's E. O. Wilson Distinguished Lecture featured tapas from Shindig's Catering, charcuterie by Bettola's Chef James Lewis and dessert by Dolester Miles, Chef Stitt's longtime pastry chef and winner of this year's James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef. After dinner, Cathy Sloss Jones sat down withChef Frank Stitt, winner of this year's James Beard Award for Best Restaurant. They discussed the the emerging food culture of Birmingham and the influence both Cathy and Frank have had on the changes and resurgence of Alabama farmers, thanks to the Pepper Place Market. Good food, good company and great conversation.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Today I got to photograph again for Hand in Paw. Catherine and her sweet pup Toby visited a classroom at Oliver Elementary. They've been visiting monthly and the students were a bit sad to say goodbye to them for them summer. Toby got lots of sweet rubs and a cute card from the class. For more information about Hand in Paw, click HERE!

Saturday, May 12, 2018

From our family archives, a gathering of mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers and children/grandchildren, minus two. In this photo, Gigi hold Chappell who had just been born. Kathleen is holding big sister Lindley. I'm next, and Melissa holds Eva. The kiddos came pretty close together and we were so grateful Gigi was there. Sorry Laura Kate and Davis, you weren't with us yet!

Monday, May 7, 2018

Today, I got my first taste of photographing for Hand and Paw. We visited two classrooms at Avondale Elementary. Larry and his human Brittany, have been coming regularly all year long, so the students were eagerly waiting Larry's appearance. In this class, the boys each read a book to Larry. It was a great day. Larry seemed to love it too.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

It's been a few years since I was able to get down to Linn Park for the Magic City Art Connection. It's really my favorite art event and this year it didn't disappoint. I always head to the kids' area and this year this interactive display caught my eye.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Finally, this last weekend I was able to view the former Empire Building/Elyton Hotel from the rooftop Moonshine Bar. For years I have shot this iconic Birmingham building from the street. Sunday I was able to get a terrific shot.

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Thank you for visiting Birmingham Through My Lens. In June,2008 I created Birmingham Alabama Daily Photo and posted a photo a day via the City Daily Photo community until January 2, 2016. This blog, although not daily, is a place where I will share my photographic journey from my hometown.

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Welcome

I have lived in Birmingham most of my life. I think it's a beautiful, friendly, and interesting place to live. I hope that my photographs portray the diversity of my hometown in a positive and artistic way.

About Me

I am a former elementary school teacher, a full-time photographer, lover of all things French ( whose French is slowly improving), obsessive Paris traveler, enthusiastic church and community volunteer, and grandmother to 5 delightful grandchildren.